Karel Kaplan
Encyclopedia
Karel Kaplan is a Czech historian, who specialized in the World War II
and post World War II
periods in Czechoslovakia
. Kaplan is regarded as one of the most noted historians of Czech communism from 1945 to 1968. He has written books about Czech politic trials during the 50s, the situation of Jews in Central Europe during World War II
, the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
.
in 1968, he worked in the Committee of rehabilitation
. He accessed classified documents of the Czechoslovakia
n Communist Party
. After the end of Prague Spring
, Karel Kaplan fell into disgrace. He worked in a factory from 1972 to 1976, and in 1976 asked for political asylum in Munich
. He started to publish his works there, and in 1990 went back to Czechoslovakia. He continues his academic research in Prague
.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and post World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
periods in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
. Kaplan is regarded as one of the most noted historians of Czech communism from 1945 to 1968. He has written books about Czech politic trials during the 50s, the situation of Jews in Central Europe during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
.
Biography
During the Prague SpringPrague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
in 1968, he worked in the Committee of rehabilitation
Political rehabilitation
Political rehabilitation is the process by which a member of a political organization or government who has fallen into disgrace, is restored to public life. It is usually applied to leaders or other prominent individuals who regain their prominence after a period in which they have no influence or...
. He accessed classified documents of the Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
n Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
. After the end of Prague Spring
Prague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
, Karel Kaplan fell into disgrace. He worked in a factory from 1972 to 1976, and in 1976 asked for political asylum in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. He started to publish his works there, and in 1990 went back to Czechoslovakia. He continues his academic research in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Some translated works
- Dans les Archives du Comité Central: Trente ans de secrets du bloc soviétique, 1978, ISBN 978-2-226-00711-7.
- The Short March: The Communist takeover in Czechoslovakia 1945-1948, 1987, ISBN 0-312-72209-5.
- Report on the Murder of the General Secretary, April 1990
- Zpráva o zavraždění generálního tajemníka, 1992 (in Czech)